As wild storms battered Teesside, fire fighters battled a fire in Haddon Street - after they were called as flames engulfed a property in Southfield Road.

The man was rescued by the Fire Brigade from an upstairs bedroom, and taken to James Cook University Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Pensioner Clive Rhodes has lived next door to the damaged property for 50 years.

He said:"I had been shopping in Newcastle and got home about 9pm - - as soon as I opened the door the smell just hit me," said the 81-year old."It was thick if smoke and you couldn't see - I just thought it was my house on fire."I called 999 straight away.

"The fire brigade have been here and made sure everything is ok but I'm still trying to get rid of the smoke this morning.".

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Another local, who didn't give his name, said he walked past at 8pm and there were police but no fire engines.

A solitary police vehicle is currently outside the scorched building, which doesn't appear to have suffered any major damage.

But ex-NHS worker Clive said: "It's horrible what happened and I hope they are alright.

"About three years ago there were people living in that house who played music until 3am who were no good, but since then an elderly man has been living there."

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"He seemed canny enough and I spoke to him a couple of times when he locked himself out.

"I've told my family about what's happened and they are naturally worried."But it was a bit scary."

This morning, the damage to the Southfield Road property is visible behind a police cordon, as fire and police officials stood guard.

Emergency services were called to a vacant property in Southfield Road at around 7.25pm. The fire caused extensive damage to that address plus adjoining buildings.

A road closure was put in place on Southfield Road between the junctions of Errol Street and Egerton Street to allow utility companies to conduct safety checks. This is expected to continue until around lunchtime or later today.

Scene of the fire on Southfield Road, Middlesbrough

The second fire was reported at a house in Haddon Street at 7.40pm last night. A fire was lit in a downstairs room after someone gained entry to the house.

Cleveland Fire Brigade sent several fire crews along with two hydraulic platforms to the fire which took hold before 8pm.

At 9.30pm, firefighters were still battling the flames aiming hose reels down from the hydraulic platforms which extended above the roof tops.

The roof tiles and structure were destroyed by fire.

Police closed off a large section of Southfield Road while they dealt with the blaze.

Southfield Road was also flooded around the affected houses.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police’s Major Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers via their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by phoning 0800 555 111.

Sudhre Hussain said she was coming back from a friend's new takeaway when she discovered the blaze."I came into my house and I just though 'there is too much smoke in here'.

"At first I thought it was my shed so I called 999.

"It was the Southfield Road property, which is almost adjoined to her Errol Street home, which was alight.

She has spent the morning cleaning up the aftermath of the fire.

"The smell of smoke was very bad, and I have had to clean the windows as they were very black," added the 46-year-old mum.